held up in mid-division, pushed along 6th, ridden and lost touch 8th, no impression
pulled early and held up last, pushed along 6th, soon lost touch
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from last
mid-division, headway to chase leader 7th, challenged and led 2 out, pushed clear from last, readily (hand timed)
held up towards rear and ran green, headway approaching 7th, kept on same pace to go 2nd close home
raced wide throughout, ridden and some effort 6th, weakened 3 out
held up in touch, headway to chase leader 7th, ridden and challenged approaching 2 out, led briefly approaching 2 out, jumped right last 2 flights, not quickened under pressure from last
pulled early and chased leader, jumped right from 2nd, mistake and rider lost iron 7th, pulled up before 3 out
Earl of Forestry is the pick over Macmar, Come What Augustus, Sir Bathwick and Smoke Trail. Earl of Forestry ran a couple of nice races in bumper company before failing to impress on his timber debut at Windsor in December. It is hard to pinpoint just what went wrong that day, and the only thing that crops up is the ground which was on the soft side, so if that was the reason for his lacklustre effort, there should be no excuses today. The dam is a half-sister to Ladalko and Historg so we can assume that this fellow will be going chasing soon, but in a poor race like today's, he should be able to open his account over timber. Macmar was behind The Luder here last time but the margin was fully 24 lengths, while Come What Augustus looked very one-paced at Fontwell. Smoke Trail shaped with promise in a Irish point-to-point and as the dam is related to Dublin Flyer, he no doubt has a future over fences. Without being overly confident, Earl of Forestry is the selection.
Earl of Forestry (GER) 15-2 (11-0) In touch, headway 6th, ridden after 7th, weakened quickly, 10th of 13, well behind Pedros Brief (11-0) at Windsor 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Flying Dick 100-1 (11-2) Prominent and keen, weakened 6th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Briscoe Place (11-2) at Hereford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd, 14 ran.
Kourosh (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up, no chance final 3f, 7th of 11, 18l behind Dans Pride (11-4) at Lingfield 2m nhf (H) pol in Oct '04.
Macmar (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 8th, effort approaching 2 out, one pace, 5th of 15, 24l behind The Luder (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Sir Bathwick (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 29l behind Calusa Charlie (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Smoke Trail (IRE) (12-0) 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Tearaway Jodie (11-9) at Lingstown 3m ire ptp gd in Nov.
Come What Augustus 8-1 (10-5) Chased leader, led 6th, driven along before next, headed when blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 30l behind Nobel Bleu de Kerpau (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
My Mon Amour 100-1 (10-8) Behind, lost touch final 10f, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Jean Le Poisson (10-11) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Mar.
